Virtual Reality is an attractive but intimidating technology. It offers an experience that´s much more immersive compared to more traditional media, like video games or 3D movies. It’s enticing to try for many, but even tech enthusiasts can be reluctant to dive into virtual reality.
Luckily, getting started on VR has never been easier. In this article, we’ll explain what VR is and what you need to know before trying it out yourself.
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
First, iterations of virtual reality technology were developed as early as the 1990s. However, it wasn’t until the 2010s that it became approachable to the wider consumer market. So, what is VR in the first place?
It’s an immersive experience that allows users to experience digital environments from a first-person view as if it was the real world. Words cannot do justice to how realistic and immersive it is. It’s just one of those things that you have to try out yourself to believe.
The main part of VR is a VR headset, which consists of goggles capable of creating an illusion of depth, projecting the digital world straight to your eyes. Having said this, let’s look at different VR headsets and which could suit your preferences the most.
Different Types of Virtual Reality Headsets
There are many ways to group VR headsets, but most often, they’re grouped as follows:
Mobile Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets
This is the cheapest VR option because it’s a glorified phone holder with fancy lenses. All you have to do is to download and open a VR app, slide your smartphone into the headset, and put it on.
Your smartphone’s display and headset’s lenses will do the magic and bring you straight into an immersive VR environment of your choice. However, most VR apps designed for mobile headsets aren’t interactive and are more comparable to immersive movies than games.
Mobile VR Headsets are recommended to those who just want to dip their toes into VR.
PC Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets
Such headsets are miles ahead in the experience they can offer to users. However, PC VR headsets are much more expensive and require an external PC to work. For example, HTC VIVE Pro 2, launched in 2021, costs over $1,250 but comes with a plethora of features making the VR experience so much more immersive.
PC VR Headsets are recommended for advanced tech users who already have a capable gaming PC.
Standalone Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets
Finally, standalone VR headsets combine the best of both worlds; the ease of use and affordability of the mobile VR headsets and the insanely immersive experience of the PC VR headsets.
As the name implies, standalone VR headsets don’t require any exterior devices to work. It’s basically an entire video game console stuffed inside the headset. You can download games straight to your headset and can start enjoying the virtual worlds as soon as you unbox the headset.
Standalone VR headsets are best for those who don’t have a powerful gaming PC but want to experience the best of what VR has to offer.
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